How to Wash Paint Brushes

Properly cleaning quality paintbrushes can extend their lives.

Ask any professional painter the secret to a great paint job and he'll tell you it starts with quality paintbrushes. While high-quality brushes make a difference, they are an investment. Professional painters use the same brush hundreds of times. If paintbrushes are not cleaned properly, though, they're usually limited to a one-time use, and that's no bargain. That's why it's important to know how to clean both water-based and oil-based paint from brushes.

Things You'll Need

• Paintbrush cleaning tool
• Disposable rags
• Fabric softener
• 5-gallon bucket
• Paint thinner or mineral spirits
• Metal bucket

Instructions

Water-Based Paint

1. Scrape as much paint as possible from the paintbrush. Use a paintbrush cleaning tool to do this, or wipe the brush with a disposable rag. Work from the handle area to the tip.

2. Mix 1/2 cup of fabric softener in about 3 gallons of water.

3. Move the paintbrush back and forth in the fabric softener mixture until all paint is off the brush. Don't let the brush bristles touch the bucket bottom.

4. Pat excess water from the paintbrush with a disposable rag.

5. Hang the paintbrush by its handle to finish drying.

Oil-Based Paint

1. Clean excess paint from the paintbrush. Use a paintbrush cleaning tool to do this, or wipe the brush with a disposable rag. Work from the handle area to the tip.

2. Pour paint thinner or mineral spirits into a metal bucket to a depth of several inches.

3. Swish the paintbrush through the paint thinner or mineral spirits until all paint is removed from the brush.

4. Pat the brush dry with a disposable rag.

5. Hang the paintbrush by its handle to finish drying.

Tips & Warnings

• Dipping the paintbrush in water before painting with water-based paints or dipping it in paint thinner before painting with oil-based paints will make it easier to clean.

• Paint thinner and mineral spirits are extremely toxic and flammable. Always use them in a well-ventilated area. Allow rags soaked with either solution to dry thoroughly before disposing of them. Consult your city or county for guidelines regarding proper disposal.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens and "Painting Secrets;" Brian Santos
• Paint Splashes: How to Clean Your Paintbrushes the Right Way
• Ask the Builder: Cleaning Paintbrushes; Tim Carter